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You will need these for our trip. See you at six a.m.
As usual he was very businesslike, even after their adventure the weekend before. As if in unspoken agreement they had both focused on their work. Laurel had required time to regroup and figure out her feelings. Apparently Tariq had needed to do the same. The problem was that hers were still an emotional jumble. Even when she had been asking him questions she could hardly focus for thinking about his sensual mouth as he’d answered.
Since their time together she’d thought of little else but him. Despite her inexperience, she had been well aware of where their day together had been going. The big question that kept rolling thro
ugh her mind was whether she would have gone to bed with Tariq. Even days later she wasn’t confident that she could have resisted him if he had asked. Would he have?
Now she’d be alone with him again. In the mountains, where she would be completely dependent on him. She’d have to keep her defenses up if she wanted her heart to survive. At least this time she knew the score. What would be the harm if she did let go? Tariq wasn’t offering her anything, he had already made that clear. Why couldn’t she have a wonderful memory to replace a horrible one? She had no doubt being with Tariq would be life-changing.
After all, she might be leaving soon. She had received an email from Stewart that afternoon. He had a good lead on funding for her and would know soon if it would come through or not. She hadn’t been as excited at the prospect as she’d thought she would have been. Wasn’t the funding and a way back to America what she had been hoping for?
But while she was here she would make the most of it. Going on this trip with Tariq was one more chance for her to compile information for her study. It must be difficult for a man of his stature to get away. Yet he had worked it out for her. With her quality staff, she would be able to leave them with a number of assignments so that her research would continue regardless of her absence. It would be the same when she returned to the States.
She’d not seen Tariq in the last couple of days. Outside their one brief phone call she had not spoken to him either. She missed him. The temptation to go for a swim in the hope he’d be there almost overcame her better judgment. She should focus on preparing for the trip.
Opening the packages, she found a heavy jacket lined with sheepskin. She ran her hand over the tooled leather on the outside. It was a much finer coat than she could afford. In a box was a pair of ankle boots with a soft interior. She slipped the moleskin shoes on. They fit perfectly and had the comfort of a cloud. In another were a couple of heavy flannel shirts and a red stocking cap with braided yarn hanging along the sides. She pulled on the cap and giggled at the sight she made, looking more like a little kid than a grown woman.
After bathing, she ate and climbed into bed. She needed her rest if she planned to handle the days ahead and her attraction to Tariq, which wasn’t helped by the fact he was just steps away. How would he react if she went to him? Her eyes closed on thoughts of Tariq wearing nothing and leading her to his bed.
She couldn’t remember her eyes even closing before there was a knock at her door. “Yes?”
“It is Nasser. It is six. The Prince asked me to see if you needed help.”
Laurel had overslept. This wasn’t a good way to start a trip with Tariq. If she had learned anything, he didn’t like people not meeting his expectations. “Please tell him I will meet him at the car in fifteen minutes.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
As quick as humanly possible she washed her face and applied sunscreen. This time she left her hair down but plaited it into a braid behind her head. Pulling on socks she’d brought from home, her jeans and a T-shirt with a flannel shirt over it, she put on her boots. She picked up her bag and stuffed the other things she needed into it. Snatching up her coat, she hurried to meet her husband.
Laurel opened the courtyard door with a jerk, then her mouth dropped open. A dual-wheeled pickup with a horse trailer waited. She had given no thought to how they were getting into the mountains but riding horses had never occurred to her. How like Tariq to keep that detail to himself. Once more she was out of her element. What if she couldn’t handle the horse?
He came around the front of the truck. This morning he was dressed in a shirt much like hers, jeans, boots and safari-type hat. He was every bit as dashing as he had been in his traditional wear. What was she getting herself into?
“Horses?” She waved a hand toward the trailer.
“You said you rode.”
Tariq made it sound like that was the answer to everything. “You could have told me your plans so I could at least be mentally prepared. I was a child the last time I was on a horse.”
“What is the saying? It will be like riding a bike.”
She climbed into the truck. “That’s until I fall off.”
Tariq stood in the open door, which put him at eye level with her. “I think not. You will be determined not to. The best way to the tribe is by horse. We will take it slowly and easily.” He patted her leg then closed the door.
He was right. Just for the chance to talk to his elderly great-aunt she’d do whatever she had to, even ride a horse. The heavy truck rumbled in the early morning air as they drove way. She grinned. They must be an unusual sight, pulling away from the palace.
They continued out of the city on the same road they had used on the way to the beach but soon turned and headed toward the mountains. The sun and the gradient slowly rose as they went.
They had been traveling about an hour when she asked, “How far can we go in the pickup?”
“We have another hour to where we will leave the truck and trailer. I wanted to start early because it is easier on the horses when it is cool.”
“And I overslept. I’m sorry.”
He placed his hand over hers. She loved his touch. It would be one of many things she would miss when she left Zentar—and the funding seemed so close now. “You were tired. We are fine.” Her hand remained under his as he continued, “It will get warm during the day but it gets cold at night. I hope you brought all that I sent you.”
“I have it in my bag.”
“Aw, the ever-present bag.”
She glared and tried to pull her hand out from under his. He held it tight and kept his eyes on the road. “What do you mean by that?”
“You are not going to pull me into an argument this morning. It is too nice a day.”
The man could make her so mad. If he wouldn’t talk to her then she would take a nap. Being shaken woke her sometime later. Her head was resting against Tariq’s shoulder. She quickly straightened. “I didn’t mean to go to sleep on you, literally.”
He smiled. “I did not mind. I wish it happened more often.”
A flash of heat shot through her. If he kept saying things like that, she would be at his feet, begging for his kisses. “You shouldn’t say things like that to me.”
“Why not? It is true. We will leave the truck here.”
Tariq climbed out. She followed. He started unloading the horses.
“What can I do?” She wasn’t going to stand there and watch while he did all the work.
“You can help me saddle them and load the pack horse.”
Tariq had been correct. It did all come back to her. She remembered how to put the saddle on and adjust the cinch. “What are their names?”
“The bay is Astor. She is yours. The stallion is Turo.”
When they were finished, Tariq gave her a kiss on the cheek as he passed. “You are a good help.”
Laurel placed her hand over the spot. Tariq’s praise made her glow. She couldn’t keep from smiling. The man had such an effect on her.
Together they loaded the pack horse. In that process Tariq had to give her more instruction.
“What’s all this?” Laurel asked as she removed another box from the back seat of the truck.
“Medical supplies. Twice a year they are taken to the village. I told the man who usually does it that I would take them this time. We will be doing a clinic tomorrow.”
“We will?” She looked at him. “Are you speaking for me now, Your Highness?”
He met her gaze. “You know I don’t like it when you call me that.”
“Then maybe you should start asking and telling me things, and not act so high-handed.”
He lowered his chin. “I will keep that in mind. Now bring me that box. We need to get started.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
He glared at her and she grinned.
*
* *
Thirty minutes later Laurel rode up the path behind Tariq, who was leading the pack horse. The sun was already beating down on her neck. They soon made a couple of switchbacks and moved into a stretch with rock both sides where it became much cooler. Tariq kept a slow, steady pace. They continued upward. Laurel contented herself with watching Tariq’s broad shoulders and his skill with a horse. With the slightest movement of his legs his stallion responded. They had been riding sometime when Tariq called over his shoulder, “How are you doing?”
“I may not be able to walk in the morning, but I’m fine.”
“I am sorry the path is so narrow that we cannot ride side by side.”
“It’s okay. I’ve just been enjoying the view.” Of him. She left that off. Astor was surefooted and Laurel gained more confidence as they traveled. She did look around her when she could. The mountains were as Tariq had described them, harsh and rugged, but he was right, there was a beauty there as well.
The gradient grew steeper and more difficult as they rode. Laurel concentrated on the landscape. An occasional splotch of green showed here and there as a plant struggled to survive in the arid surroundings. A lizard ran along the rock then disappeared into a crack.
The sun hung high in the sky when Tariq led them into a level area. There were a few large mushroom-shaped trees making the space cool and refreshing. Laurel was surprised when she heard the sound of water. A small stream came out of a rock to form a pool below.
Tariq dismounted and Laurel followed suit. Her dismount was not nearly as graceful as his. It took her a moment to become steady on her feet. She patted Astor on the neck.
“Lead her over here and let her have some water, but not too much. We do not want her to founder.” Tariq took Turo’s reins.
“Founder?”
“When a hot horse drinks too much cool water.”
“Well, a person learns something new every day.” She followed Tariq.
